New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-02
A HOUSE FOR RAILROAD. MEM
MR.. vANDERBILrs GREAT GENEROSITY.

MONEY FREELY SPENT TO GIVE Hrs EMPLOYEES 4
CLUBHOUSE, SCHOOL AND LIBRARY
The opening OF the Railroad Mems Building at Mad.
son-ave aud Fortynfth-st tomorrow with appropriate
ceremonies, will be occasion Of much interest Tnis
building has been erected by Cornelius Vanderbilt ct
cost Of about 100000, for the use Of the Railroad
Branch Of the Young Mems Christian.
Association. 1t IL designed to b.
" place where railroad men may spend pleasant
hours" and certainly ia its construction and appont
msnts 1t is we'll calculatsdt5 re.Eo the object sought
Ground broker September 20. 1885 The main
building two stories high. with tower eighteen feet
square running up two stories higher Every inch %
space frsm the floor Of the sub-cellar to the
apex of the tower h utilized. Robertson
4 Potter Of this city arc the architscta
Tho style Of architecture 10 Roman. The
exterior is constructed Of terra Gotta aud Tnany
brick, Of sayrcvile manufacture while the arches and
quons Of red Philadelphia brick Of red
brick IN bond with three Of yellow brick It II
the first time this combination been attempted and
1t regarded most effective The trimming 10 Of terra
Gotta and the largo terra Gotta tablet the Madison
side is inscribed: Railroad Mems Building
The roos constructed Of Spanish Akron glazed tiles and
the final the elcyatcd southern ridge Is Of Gotta
OF dark brown glaze.
The appliances for the physical Improvement Of the
members arc In tho basement. Tho gymnasium and
bowlingaeys equipped with tho approved ap-
paratus in the best designs The bathrooms large
feet and six feet Deep All the partitions in tho base
ment of MARBLE the framework is Of solid bronze
and the plumbing nickel plato and brass The heating
and ventilatng Of the building In accordance with
the latest devised plans and are perfect In all espect
The ceilings and walls Of the basement finished With
glazed tiles and porcelain brick.
PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE LIBRARY.
The library is the main noor large and airy room.
with tiled floor and panelcd walls mantel Of terra
Gotta and specially manufactured stone and BRICK and
handsome tablet bearing the inscription "The True Uni
versity Of These Days is Collection Of Books" Six
thousand four hundred volumes stand upon the shelves
1t a general and miscellaneous library, Intended to In
struct, and divert the railroad men, and
lected by General Secretary George A. warburton.
gallery is required 10 reach the upper shelves "Our
library has this peculiarly" said Secretary
warburton. yesterday: I'VE have placed the
works Of instruction the lower shelves where they
will be easy Of The and lighter literature
put up In the gallery, where those who want to
read them will have to climb up stairs for them" Tho
reading Is also the main floor and finished In
way similar to the library is supplied with easy chairs
and 100 newspapers The social room. where games Of
chess checkers etc., can be played just In rear OF the
reading The general secrearys aiIce Is the
opposite side Of the hail. and tho Of the committee
OF is the side Of tho building look
ing into Madison-ave Both handsomely finished and
furnished In the style OF the other the main
floor.
The hall or lecture room on the second floor and 10
reached by broad stairway constructed Of highly pol
ished ash and oak The hall SO by So feet In and
capable Of seating 400 persons 1t walls panelled
with quartered oak andit wainscoted 10 oak cherry
and ash The platform Is covered with costly Persian
Gotta arches either side Of the platform hung
with heavy portisres Oh brass poles Substantial pillas
&C. lott dividing that portion into elias. rooms 3.
the separated part can be used as dining room duns
the kitchen the floor above. The seating Of the hall
garded as eIcesn the rear OF the hall beau
tifuy finished class and committee rooms The noors OK
the resting or recreation room, admirably furnished with
lounges Of An encing character while In tho centre Of
free OF charge. This 10 intended apartment for
railroad to eat luncheon In Here are also the jan
range and all necessary cooking appliances These
are all furnished In oak The sleeping rooms. fitted up
clean linen where tired traiD.men can reposo after
long rum are on the top or fourth floor Like all the
other floors finished In excellent tastc Tho fnten-
ton Of Mr. Vanderbilt has evidently BEEN throushout,
to give the railroad men the best that could be obtansa
gas electricity and plped and Wired TOR both. The
fixtures elaborate and OF the combination kind
for both descriptions of light
Mr.. vANDERBILr's LAVISH EXPENDITURE.
The building lie the outcome Of what Cornelius Wander.
blt that railroad needed during his ten years
Of service chairman Of the Committee Of Management
OF the Railroad Branch Of the Young Mems Christian
Association 1t certainly does credit both to his head
example the rich Of his day and genera
ton which may result in bestowing upon the men OF
other roads and other cities like blessings. Orig-
nally the scheme involved an expenditure OF only
could not Oa succs.y Ssy out his
for that sum- and he therefore directed his architects 70
Il ses whsrs the building and its appoint
ments can be further improved. IL appears In al TO
Spiians Which f have been ndcated
give entertainments there in the shape OF concerts
Svefsd r SS the Rev every
DR.. A. b. ROCKWELL and others. In ADDITION
ss.essi there VII William BE- ss.t
the NswYors Central Railroad VIII tell
Exist between the United States Mails and Railroad"
Railroad. viii give Railroad "reminiscences" In the
classes to be formed instruction will BE- given IN nrss
Diplomas win bo Issued 70 those who pass successful s1
anlinatons In tho subjects treated ...,.
Which viii be Conducted by competent Instructors This
Suans rSs reading club viii hold its SENT
monthly for the study Of literature and the development
ANY person is eligible to membership aud to all the adj
vsntsges possible from tho institutions Of the Railroad
Central New.YorT New.Msven and Hartford or the
West Shore Railroad Company or the wagns. paia ace
trains Of any these roads provided he pays to The
proper officer the specified sum Of 10 cents per month =:
now building s hold in trust BY board Of trustees TOT
the use Of the Railroad Branch OF tho iounS
Mems Christian Association of New-York aty
The trustees seven In number ana arc ~ -
Charles G. CLARK. George H. watrous Chsuncey =.
Depew, ]. Pierpont Morgan John NJ Toucey. Tue 20.
board Of arc en- persons. called the Committee Of Man
agement. This committee meets weekly or oItener *
uecessarv Its room upon tho first floor is one OF the
finest in the building II Is expected that Mr. Dcpss
will speak at the opening o-norrow and reiae SOILS "
his recent European experienced
TO OTvILIzE THE HEATHEN OF AFRICA.
The twepty.six missionaries who are to join Bisnsp
Tayiors party In Africa sailed yesterday on inc
City Of Richmond. During the week fareweM
meetings for tho missio naries held In the